Dr. Robert M. Cohen, a 1957 graduate of Cheltenham High School, Navy veteran, retired neurosurgeon, lecturer, lifelong musician, and cofounder of Folk Alliance International and Northeast Regional Folk Alliance, passed away on February 2. He was 86.

An Elkins Park native, Dr. Cohen earned his medical degree at the old Thomas Jefferson Medical College in 1965 and practiced neurosurgery for two decades at the old Rancocas Valley Hospital in Willingboro, according to his obituary.

Following medical school, Dr. Cohen became a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy, serving at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital.

He played piano, bass fiddle, sousaphone, banjo, guitar, and autoharp, and formed a band with two other doctors in the 1960s, playing at parties, fundraisers, and other events, his obituary said. Together, they cofounded Folk Alliance International in 1989 and Northeast Regional Folk Alliance in 1994.

Dr. Cohen wrestled and played soccer during his days as a Panther.

Services were held earlier, his obituary said. Donations in his name may be made to Philadelphia Folksong Society, Box 4959, 6711 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19119; and Northeast Regional Folk Alliance, 1153 S. Eighth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147.

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Photo: Courtesy of the family via The Philadelphia Inquirer